A decision on whether motorized traffic will be allowed along the Ottawa Valley Recreational Trail in Laurentian Valley is expected sometime in the fall. Over 400 residents in Laurentian Valley submitted feedback through an online survey with the results presented to council on Tuesday night. Mayor Steve Bennett says the majority of people were in favour of allowing motorized traffic on the trail.
A separate study that was presented to council sometime in the last year and a half, shows 97% of residents who live along the trail are against motorized traffic being allowed access. If Laurentian Valley chooses to not allow motorized traffic on the trail, the county is requiring municipalities to find an alternate route. An alternate route available runs along the old CN rail line, however CN doesn’t want to sign off on environmental liability concerns with the land.